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All posts for the month July, 2009

Lovely ladies vie for Mutya ng Pilipinas 2009

Posted by Norman on July 31, 2009
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

Mutya ng Pilipinas (Muse of the Philippines) has always played third fiddle to the two bigger beauty contests in the Philippine pageant scene – the Binibining Pilipinas and Miss Philippines-Earth. Blame it on reorganization or the lack of prestigious international competitions to send its winners to, it almost always is in survival status for the past number of years. However, there is a marked resurgence of interest in the contest this year. Aside from a relaxed policy regarding ‘half-breeds’ or contestants representing Filipino communities abroad, many local girls actually enlisted – forming the list of 34 official candidates which is quite a jump from the usual two dozen participants. And I must add that there are more than a handful of gorgeous competitors this year.

Just to give you a sample, here are my current Top 7 favorites to figure out on top…

Candidate No. 5 - Ma. Katrina Lopez

Candidate No. 5 - Ma. Katrina Lopez

Candidate No. 14 - Agnes Santiago

Candidate No. 14 - Agnes Santiago


Candidate No. 28 - Mary Lorraine de Guzman

Candidate No. 28 - Mary Lorraine de Guzman


Canddiate No. 26 - Jacqueline Schubert

Candidate No. 26 - Jacqueline Schubert


Candidate No. 8 - Jennielyn Natividad

Candidate No. 8 - Jennielyn Natividad


Candidate No. 22 - Rene McHugh

Candidate No. 22 - Rene McHugh


Candidate No. 34 - Nadine Holversen

Candidate No. 34 - Nadine Holversen

Honestly, there are still a lot of beautiful girls among the remaining 27 contestants which only goes to show how strongly competitive this year’s batch is. By the way, the host for this year’s finals and pre-pageant activities is the province of Aurora (last year’s was Palawan) and I’m pretty sure they will make a wonderful job of hosting the event.

If you’re interested, there will be an online poll from August 1-8 to select a winner for OPMB People’s Choice Award which will be officially handed out during the coronation night on August 9. You can check out the headshots, swimsuit takes and Filipina terno pictures using this link. Go ahead! Support your candidate!

Good luck to all contestants! May the best girls win!

images courtesy of Rogue Studio’s G. Aplal via OPMB Worldwide Forums.

Watch out for Glee!

Posted by Norman on July 30, 2009
Posted in: 5 TV Tales. Tagged: , , , , .

The cast of "Glee"

The cast of "Glee"

A few months back, I was able to watch the pilot episode of the new TV series “Glee” after downloading the same for free from iTunes. I wasn’t paying attention to it in my iPod until one rainy afternoon when I got stuck in the middle of a traffic on my way home. Well, what do you know, I enjoyed every bit of this new comedy from Fox and I wanted more. There’s the catch. The whole season will premiere in the fall and the pilot was released much earlier to whet the appetite of viewers – a stroke of genius from the producers, I must say.

Actors Jenna Ushkowitz, Chris Colfer, Lea Michele, Jayma Mays, Jessalyn Gilsig, Kevin McHale, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Diana Agron, Jane Lynch, Mark Salling and Matthew Morrison pose with cheerleaders during The Glee Cheerleaders exclusive performance at Fox's Upfront presentation at New York City Center on May 18, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Fox)

Actors Jenna Ushkowitz, Chris Colfer, Lea Michele, Jayma Mays, Jessalyn Gilsig, Kevin McHale, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Diana Agron, Jane Lynch, Mark Salling and Matthew Morrison pose with cheerleaders during The Glee Cheerleaders exclusive performance at Fox's Upfront presentation at New York City Center on May 18, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Fox)

The show revolves around a high school teacher (Matthew Morrison) who wants to put up a Glee Club but only ended signing up a bunch of misfits, save for two students (Lea Michele and Cory Monteith) whose singing talents soar above the rest. It would be interesting to see how these characters will pull it through to the state finals with several situations in between that will try to make and break the group. To top it all, the musical numbers will definitely spice up things and I daresay that it will be a hit among teens and adults alike.

Here’s a promo clip for “Glee” (courtesy of FOX Broadcasting.) Watch it and you’ll see what I mean.

The Attack of the Pinoy Indies / Part 2

Posted by Norman on July 29, 2009
Posted in: 6 The Movie Corner. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Here’s Part 2 of my blog about the current onslaught of Pinoy Indie Films.

Cinemalaya Cinco 2009

Cinemalaya Cinco 2009

Just last weekend, Cinemalaya Cinco culminated in a much-awaited awards night.  As expected, no single movie copped a lion’s share of the trophies handed out, except for Astig which cornered four. All 10 full-length feature films in competition were so good that majority of them went home with an award or two to be proud of. A selection of these indie movies will inevitably add up to the roster of Philippine entries to film festivals around the globe.

Some of the noteworthy entries (read: the ones I was able to watch during the festival) are…

GB Sampedro's Astig

GB Sampedro's Astig

Astig directed by GB Sampedro is the top grosser among the 10 competition films. It is the most star-studded with Dennis Trillo, Sid Lucero, Arnold Reyes, Glaiza de Castro and Edgar Allan Guzman heading a long string of cameo appearances from big name stars. It helps that Boy Abunda is one of the producers. But I have to give it up for GB Sampedro for coming up with an intense and sensitive look at the twists and turns in the lives of 4 tough young men as they individually struggle for survival in the city. The movie was rewarded with two awards – Best Director for Sampedro and Best Supporting Actor for Arnold Reyes plus a couple of technical recognitions.

Update: Astig has already been invited to participate in the Pusan International Film Festival as part of its New Currents Section.

Dinig Sana Kita directed by Mike Sandejas

Dinig Sana Kita directed by Mike Sandejas

Dinig Sana Kita (If I Knew What You Said) directed by Mike Sandejas. This movie won the Audience Award during the festival and I couldn’t agree more. It is a love story between a deaf boy and a rocker chick set in the cool environs of Baguio City. This is a very touching piece of work. And the two leads make a good pair onscreen. With proper marketing and promotions, this can very well find its way to a successful commercial run.

Sanglaan directed by Milo Sogueco

Sanglaan directed by Milo Sogueco

Sanglaan (Pawnshop) is an opus by Milo Sogueco and tells about the lives of people working in and around a small pawnshop – their hopes, sadness, frustration and redemption. All the performances are subtle (as represented by the bland and quiet pawnshop) but solid. In fact, two of its stars – Ina Feleo and Tessie Tomas – were given the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress trophies, respectively.

Last Supper No. 3 directed by Veronica B. Velasco

Last Supper No. 3 directed by Veronica B. Velasco

Last Supper No. 3 directed by Veronica B. Velasco is the only comedy entry in this year’s derby but that doesn’t make it any less after winning Best Picture over the 9 other entries. First time I heard about the movie, I knew I had to watch it. Its biting humor makes watching the whole thing even more enjoyable as the audience is tagged along in one man’s search for a missing prop of the Last Supper which snowballed into issues about the country’s legal system.

Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe by Alvin Yapan

Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe by Alvin Yapan

Actors Lou Veloso & Alfred Vargas during the Gala Night of Colorum

Actors Lou Veloso & Alfred Vargas during the Gala Night of Colorum

I missed seeing Colorum by Jon Steffan Ballesteros which won for stage actor Lou Veloso the Best Actor award and I plan to catch it one of these days, i.e., if it makes it to a limited run in one of Manila’s indie-dedicated cinemas. Add to this the movie Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe (The Rapture of Fe) by Alvin Yapan which stars the ever reliable Irma Adlawan in the title role. I wasn’t able to catch these two due to a messenger’s mess-up in my schedule during one of the days I was supposed to go to CCP.

Other finalists I failed to find time to watch are:

Nerseri directed by Vic Acedillo Jr.

Nerseri directed by Vic Acedillo Jr.

Mangatyanan directed by Jerrold Tarog

Mangatyanan directed by Jerrold Tarog

Engkwentro directed by Pepe Diokno

Engkwentro directed by Pepe Diokno

24K directed by Ana Agabin

24K directed by Ana Agabin

In the end, I remain optimistic about the current state of Pinoy Indie movies. It’s like a rebirth that would need constant rearing (and financing) to eventually fluorish and create another Golden Age in Philippine Cinema.

The Attack of the Pinoy Indies / Part 1

Posted by Norman on July 27, 2009
Posted in: 6 The Movie Corner. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

The Philippine Indie Film scene has never had it so good. For the past number of years, it has grown in leaps and bounds and not without a worthy purpose. The country used to have one of the biggest film industries in Asia but has significantly lagged behind in the late 90s to the present that, as a result, a large chunk of movie stars have resorted to appearing in television to sustain their income. But things are looking up. Pinoy Indie movies are starting to break into the global market in a steadily progressive way. And at the rate these small filmmakers are churning out films left and right – and winning awards and recognitions in film festivals around the world – there is hope.

A scene from Brillante Mendoza's Kinatay

A scene from Brillante Mendoza's Kinatay

2009 is a significant year for Pinoy Indie Films. Last May, Brillante Mendoza graduated into the big time after claiming the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival for his competition film “Kinatay” (Butchered). It is also worth noting that two other homegrown flicks – Raya Martin’s Independencia and Manila by Adolfo Alix & Raya Martin – were shown in the Un Certain Regard and Special Screening sections, respectively.

There is also a sextet of mainstream film directors who released their individual foray into indie filmmaking under the Sine Direk Masterworks series. The line-up includes Joel Lamangan’s Fuschia, Soxie Topacio’s Ded Na Si Lolo (Grandfather is Dead), Lore Reyes’ Litsonero (The Roaster), Peque Gallaga’s Agaton & Mindy, Maryo delos Reyes’ Kamoteng Kahoy (Sweet Potato) and Mel Chionglo’s Bente (Twenty). Four of the movies were rated A by the FRB (Film Ratings Board), with Litsonero getting a B.

Kamoteng Kahoy by Maryo delos Reyes

Kamoteng Kahoy by Maryo delos Reyes

Agaton & Mindy by Peque Gallaga

Agaton & Mindy by Peque Gallaga

Litsonero by Lore Reyes

Litsonero by Lore Reyes

Bente by Mel Chionglo

Bente by Mel Chionglo

Any of the six movies in the series can very easily qualify for international film festivals, with Kamoteng Kahoy and Bente possibly getting an award or two for acting. In particular, child performers Robert “Buboy” Villar and Nash Aguas are shoo-ins to become festival darlings should Kamoteng Kahoy compete abroad.

I hope people patronized these works (instead of complaining that all local indie films are always gay-themed) during their limited commercial run (one-week for each movie) because this is the only way the industry can survive. I was able to catch four (with corresponding images above) and I doff my hat to these directors.

In Part 2 of this blog, I will be writing about the recently-concluded Cinemalaya Cinco which harvested an even larger collection of excellent indie movies for everyone to enjoy.

Good luck, Miss Philippines!

Posted by Norman on July 23, 2009
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

2009 Miss Philippines-Universe Bianca Manalo

2009 Miss Philippines-Universe Bianca Manalo

Reigning Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines)-Universe Pamela Bianca Manalo, 22, was recently hosted by the BPCI (Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc.) for her formal send-off to the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant which will be held (exactly a month from now) on August 23 in the Carribean paradise of Atlantis in the Bahamas.

The statuesque Manalo (5’10”) will join close to a hundred ladies around the world who will compete for the coveted title, last won by a Filipina in 1973 (Margarita Moran) and 1969 (Gloria Diaz).

Personally, I think she has a good chance of doing well this year. It’s impossible to predict if she will bring home the bacon or not, but the eternal optimist in me says that she will at least make a respectable placement.

During the formal send-off proceedings

During the formal send-off proceedings

Just a bit of trivia about Bianca – she is the younger sister of Katherine Manalo who participated in Miss World 2002 and placed in the Top 10. She is also the niece of Nini Ramos-Licaros who reached the semi-finals of Miss International 1968. So, you see, beauty runs in the family and if the trend continues, she will most likely end up making the country proud just as well, if not better.

Best of luck, Bianca!!!

Bianca Manalo in swimsuit

Bianca Manalo in swimsuit

Bianca in evening gown

Bianca in evening gown

(Images courtesy of OPMB Worldwide Forums)

CD Watch: Basia is back!

Posted by Norman on July 20, 2009
Posted in: 8 CD Watch. Tagged: , , , .

For those who grew up getting a kick out of Basia‘s music, there’s good news for you. She is back with a new cd entitled It’s That Girl Again and I must admit that there is glowing maturity (read: little less mainstream) in her new tracks without sacrificing the usual lilt that made her songs popular.

Basia's new cd "It's That Girl Again"

Basia's new cd "It's That Girl Again"


I really waited years and years for her to release a new set of songs. My verdict? She still doesn’t disappoint, unless it’s someone else’s first time to be introduced to her music and judge this body of work as nothing extraordinary. Call me partial but hey, I’ve always associated Basia with a few significant moments in my life so there will always be a special place in my heart (and ears) for her.

The carrier single is the upbeat (with classic Basia groove) “If Not Now Then When” which instantly hooked me up. You will also enjoy her other pieces like “Blame It On The Summer” and “Everybody’s on the Move.”

Check it out in your favorite record bar and get a copy. You can also download the whole thing from iTunes. Below is a YouTube clip (courtesy of basiasongs) containing snippets of Basia’s new songs.

A First-Timer’s Guide to Centrally-located Hotels in Bangkok / Part 3

Posted by Norman on July 16, 2009
Posted in: 7 The Travel Bug in Me. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , .

Here is the last part of my blog about Bangkok hotels. Sukhumvit is actually a preferred area for me, having flown in and out of the city more frequently than others. Repeat visitors who have gone past the trappings of Siam Square and Silom eventually cuddle up to Sukhumvit for varied reasons. Some find the neighborhood less stressful – traffic notwithstanding – and more diverse in terms of accomodations and dining options. A good majority of yuppies, professionals and expatriates take residence here, since a lot of high-rise condominiums and serviced apartments have mushroomed within the past 5 years or so. The side-by-side cluster of hotels, businesses and residential skyscrapers make this part of the city touristy without being too touristy for comfort.

Sukhumvit Road

Sukhumvit Road

Sukhumvit is essentially a loooooooong road that stretches all the way to the suburbs outside Bangkok. With this in mind, I will focus more on the upper, middle and lower mid portions with Soi 63 (where you can find the Ekkamai bus station that can bring you to Pattaya and the like) as the cut-off mark. Anything beyond will be inconvenient, particularly if you end up booking a hotel room that is past the last Skytrain station (On Nut) in this direction.

Sukhumvit Map (Soi 1 to 63)

Sukhumvit Map (Soi 1 to 63)

In Sukhumvit, I don’t consider it an ‘in’ thing anymore to stay at large hotels, specifically the ones belonging to global chains like Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Westin Grande Sukhumvit, JW Marriott plus the independently-owned Landmark. I have nothing against these properties. It’s just that there are many noteworthy boutique hotels deserving your Thai baht. But if you’re like my mother who would rather spend her nights in one, then I suggest that you go for the brand-new offerings in this section like Grand Millennium Sukhumvit and the Park Plaza Sukhumvit with its plush, crisp and luxurious digs, not to mention the promotional rates they regularly offer to cut a big share of the tourism pie from the old reliables. Among these choices, you can end up paying at least US$220++ a night (without breakfast) for the cheapest rooms. I am a very patient online searcher, though, so I usually get juicy deals from time to time and cut the price in half with buffet brekkie thrown in for good measure.

Grand Milennium Sukhumvit at the corner of Sukhumvit and Asoke Roads

Grand Milennium Sukhumvit at the corner of Sukhumvit and Asoke Roads

Now, before heading up to the mid-range category, let me go to the chic/trendy boutique hotels and serviced residences first because there are a few which deserve to be noted early on. After all, Sukhumvit is the place to go if you like staying in this kind of temporary dwellings. The first group includes S15 Sukhumvit Hotel, The Key Bangkok (at the back of Robinson’s Sukhumvit), Seven Hotel Bangkok, FuramaXclusive Asoke, Dream Hotel, Le Fenix Sukhumvit and Sacha’s Hotel Uno. I can heartily recommend any of these new establishments. Their locations are very easy on the feet as a few of them can even claim proximity to both the skytrain and subway stations. If you’re lucky, you can even get rates below US$100.

Sacha's Hotel Uno (near to both the skytrain and subway)

Sacha's Hotel Uno (near to both the skytrain and subway)

The Key Bangkok

The Key Bangkok

S15 Sukhumvit Hotel

S15 Sukhumvit Hotel

But if you go for bigger units where you can lounge in the living room, sleep in a separate (or cubicled) bedroom and do some quick cooking in the kitchenette, then the 2nd group should come in handy. The cheapest and most practical is Citadines Sukhumvit (one in Soi 11 and another in Soi 16) with intelligently-designed studios or 1-BR options priced between US$80-150. There is also Grand Sukhumvit by Accor, plus Grand Mercure Asoke Residence, Fraser Suites Sukhumvit, Emporium Suites and Adelphi Suites. Rates here are between US$125-200. You will never feel cramped here for sure.

Grand Sukhumvit by Accor

Grand Sukhumvit by Accor

A studio unit at Adelphi Suites

A studio unit at Adelphi Suites

A tastefully-designed Studio at Citadines Sukhumvit

A tastefully-designed Studio at Citadines Sukhumvit

Moving on, we highlight traditional hotel accomodation choices in the US$75-100 range, such as Amari Boulevard, Bel-Aire Princess, Majestic Grande Sukhumvit, Novotel Lotus, and St. James Hotel. Not the newest on the block, they nevertheless make up for it by way of providing reliable service, skytrain-friendly locations and clean/useful rooms. These properties are usually the most popular among regular tourists or 3-day business travellers who rely mostly on online reviews and tend to play it safe. I can also add here the budget picks like City Lodge Sukhumvit 9 or 19, Ambassador Hotel, Tai-Pan Hotel and Manhattan. Many visitors go for these if their main objective is just to have a room to stay for a night or two (or three) after a long day of shopping and sightseeing.

Majestic Grande Sukhumvit

Majestic Grande Sukhumvit

Manhattan Hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 15

Manhattan Hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 15

In the midst of all these, I can honestly say that you can derive pleasure wherever you stay in Sukhumvit because the street shopping, dining galore and proximity to the skytrain will always keep you in good company. But if I had to simplify my recommendations, here are the key bottomline statements to remember:
1. If you go for classy and luxurious, pick Grand Millennium Sukhumvit.
2. If you want to emphasize on trendy, spacious and functional, Citadines Sukhumvit is it.
3. If you fancy chic, convenient and personalized, Sacha’s Hotel Uno or The Key Bangkok should be on your shortlist.
4. Lastly, if you’d rather stay in a large unit that is attached to a shopping mall, then there’s Emporium Suites to satisfy the on-site craving to shop.

Happy hotel hunting and Khop khun khap!!!

p.s. I will post a short annex to the 3 blogs about Bangkok hotels for accomodations outside the three main areas that are worth checking out.

A First-Timer’s Guide to Centrally-located Hotels in Bangkok / Part 2

Posted by Norman on July 15, 2009
Posted in: 7 The Travel Bug in Me. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , .

The first part of this blog focused on the Siam Square area which I recommended as the best location for a hotel when vacationing in Bangkok.

Let’s move on to my 2nd most preferred base in the Land of Smiles – Silom (including Surawong.)

Silom Road during rush hour

Silom Road during rush hour

What attracts tourists to stay in this part of Bangkok? I can name you three:
1) the Patpong night market (where I suggest you spend less because the prices of items on sale are higher)
2) the red-light district (starting from Patpong on Silom all the way to the full length of Surawong)
3) the night life (not as expensive compared to the classy bars on Sukhumvit)

I’d also like to add that this area is the best compromise if you want to stay reasonably close to the Chao Phya riverside area without getting stuck in the fringes. Just hop into the skytrain and get off after 3 stops.

This area actually used to be the most popular in downtown Bangkok up until Siam Square became a shoppers’ paradise and one-stop amusement place for families.

Map of Silom

Map of Silom

Elegant rooftop of the plush Le Bua at State Tower

Elegant rooftop of the plush Le Bua at State Tower

Okay, let’s start with the expensive hotel choices here. Top of the list would be Dusit Thani, Pan Pacific, Le Bua at State Tower and Sofitel Silom. Among the four, Le Bua is the most opulent, but it is situated at the far end of Silom leading to the riverside area. The walk to the skytrain from here is a minimum of 12 minutes in brisk mode. Alternatively, Dusit Thani and Pan Pacific are the most practical because the skytrain and subway stations are right in front of the hotel. These two are also the closest to the night market, night life and red-light district. Sofitel Silom is somewhere in between the aforementioned. It is right in the middle of Silom, a bit farther from the Chong Nonsi station and the night market, but offers competitive rates and service. Price range for these properties is between US$120-200 for a Superior room.

Narai Hotel in the middle of Silom Rd.

Narai Hotel in the middle of Silom Rd.

How about the mid-range spenders willing to shell out at least US$70-100 a night? Well, you have several possibilities. First off my head are Montien, Narai, Silom Serene, Holiday Inn Silom Plaza and Saladang Place. All of the five are old and have seen better days. Maintenance and renovations, though, have restored them to some points of their old glories. Montien is on Surawong and is practically at the doorstep of Patpong, nearer to the subway than the skytrain. Narai Hotel, while in the middle of Silom and requiring a longer walk to the skytrain, is actually the best value for money given its reasonable price with abundant breakfast buffet included. It is Arnoma’s counterpart this side of downtown Bangkok. I would put Holiday Inn Silom Plaza in the same vein, except that its farther location demands a trickier access to the skytrain from a different direction. Silom Serene, on the other hand, is an independently-owned hotel which offers good service in quieter surroundings. Lastly, Saladang Place is originally a serviced residence for expats but has long been converted to a hotel-like establishment with bigger rooms and an excellent location very close to the skytrain, subway and the night market.

FuramaXclusive Sathorn

FuramaXclusive Sathorn

If you get your high staying in boutique hotels – newer and more personalized attention to its guests – and if paying at least US$100-150/night suits you well, then the likes of FuramaXclusive Sathorn, Siri Sathorn, I-Residence, Baan Saladaeng, Luxx and Saladaeng Colonnade might just float your boat. Personally, FuramaXclusive Sathorn and I-Residence are my best bets in this league. They are almost brand new and the rooms are very tasteful, aside from giving frequent promotional rates all year-round. Luxx is also new, but I find the rooms so small. Over-all, it is not proportionate to the rates they charge. Baan Saladaeng’s main selling point is their unique rooms which have different themes to suit your taste and preference. Here’s a tip. If breakfast is your most important meal of the day, then take note that the buffet spread in boutique establishments is comparatively limited.

A room at The Inn Saladaeng

A room at The Inn Saladaeng

Lastly, a selection of hotels for those on a tight budget (below US$50 per night) includes The Inn Saladaeng, Unico Grande Silom, Silom Village Inn, Wall Street Inn and Regent Silom Serviced Apartment. My first pick here would be The Inn Saladaeng – simple, unpretentious and very well-situated close to everything. Regent Silom is not the serviced apartment you might have in mind because it looks and feels more like an inn, but it is surrounded by all sorts of Bangkok night life in the area – which also means that the place can get noisy especially during happy hours all the way to midnight.

That just about sums it up for Silom. If you end up choosing this location for your hotel stay, then be ready to enjoy a busier, noisier, more crowded and a bit seedier (a lot seedier if you stay in smaller inns inside Patpong or around Surawong) environment. There will always be tourists who enjoy this atmosphere to the max.

Onward to the third and last part of this blog….Sukhumvit! Watch out for it!

A First-Timer’s Guide to Centrally-located Hotels in Bangkok / Part 1

Posted by Norman on July 14, 2009
Posted in: 7 The Travel Bug in Me. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Sawasdee khap!

I have made a small reputation of myself giving tips and recommendations to first-time (and repeat) visitors to one of my favorite destinations, Bangkok. People frequenting sites like tripadvisor.com and asia-web direct forums have benefitted a lot from my well-earned experiences regarding the Thai capital for well over the past decade. So I think it’s high time that I share the same in my own blog, with a few tweaks here & there to make things more fresh and personal. Here goes!

Basic Rule of Thumb:
Always pick a hotel located close to the skytrain!

The Bangkok Skytrain

The Bangkok Skytrain

In a city like Bangkok where the traffic always gets as bad as Manila, you don’t want to spend your time cursing the endless bumper-to-bumper gridlocks. You wouldn’t want to be at the mercy of taxi drivers, either. Local transports are plenty, but if you don’t speak the language, there will always be the inconvenience of taking the right bus. Tuk-tuks, on the other hand, should not be considered a default mode of transportation. It is very touristy to ride one but no more than twice in a single trip.

The Skytrain will help in navigating your way around – quickly and painlessly, that is.

Siam Central is the Skytrain’s main station where all its routes converge. And since this is located right smack in the middle of Siam Square, this is the area you might want to consider as your base during a brief 3-5 day stay.

Siam Square
This area can stretch from the MBK Shopping Centre all the way to the Central Chitlom (see map below.) There is an elevated walkway connecting pedestrians in between so accomodations around the vicinity are always safe bets. There are so many malls here that the true-blue shopaholic will find heaven in checking out Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, Central World, Gaysorn Plaza, Amarin, MBK and the small shopping streets inside Siam Square itself.

Siam Square map

Siam Square map

For travellers who fancy high-end accomodations, there will always be Intercontinental Bangkok, Centara Grand World and Grand Hyatt Erawan to consider. Staying in these properties will set you back at least US$250++ a night for a twin sharing room. If you don’t want to splurge that much but still want to experience some luxury, you can do no wrong with Novotel Siam Square, Siam@Siam Design Hotel, Holiday Inn Bangkok and Pathumwan Princesss (right beside MBK) where a room can be had starting at US$150++ (with breakfast included if you book with online hotel providers like Asiarooms or Sawadee.com.) The list doesn’t end there, though. Should your budget for a hotel room be anywhere in the range of US$80-120++, take a pick between Arnoma and Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok. The walk to the skytrain from either of the two may be a tad longer but your convenience won’t be signficantly compromised.

Krit Thai Mansion (very near MBK)

Krit Thai Mansion (very near MBK)

Let’s not forget the really budget-conscious tourists. There are two inns that emphasize on clean rooms in a safe environment here – Krit Thai Mansion and Golden House VIP (not to be confused with the similarly-named establishment in Sukhumvit 50 so look at the image below to know that you’re booking the right one.) The former is just a kitty corner away from the National Stadium station attached to MBK, while the latter is a stone’s throw from the stairs of Chitlom Station. These are popular choices for those looking for US$50-below accomodations. No frills here, and the rooms are a lot fewer so better book early to secure one in time for your vacation. Google them (or click the link on their names above) and deal directly (by email) for guaranteed reservations.

Golden House VIP (near Chitlom station)

Golden House VIP (near Chitlom station)

There are still other options in this area like staying in serviced apartments like Grande Centrepoint Ratchadamri or Bliston Suwan Park View. Families will love the spaciousness and house-like ambience complete with a kitchen and living room. Prices here can go as low as US$70++ for a studio to a US$100++ 1-BR or a US$150++ 2-BR unit. Do keep in mind, though, that not all of the services and facilities available in a typical hotel – like varied restaurant options or a readily-available tour desk – can be found here. Peace and quiet is at a premium, nonetheless.

Pratunam (at least 20-25 minutes by foot from Siam Square) is also a popular area where hotels can be reserved at lower prices but since the skytrain is a relatively long trek from here, I purposedly did not include my recommendations. But if you insist, I would shortlist the likes of Baiyoke Sky, Indra Regent and Grand Diamond Suites for your consideration.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this blog. Next stop….Silom!

Fun Poll #1

Posted by Norman on July 13, 2009
Posted in: Fun Polls. Tagged: , , , , , .

I am an iPhone freak. In fact, I consider myself an Apple freak even if I don’t own a Macbook. I do have my iPod Touch, iPod Classic and iPod Nano used alternately depending on my mood and/or daily persuasion. What I love most are the applications that come with the iPhone and iPod Touch. Once I got started with a few of them, I just couldn’t stop. So as the topic of my first blog poll, I decided to focus on the applications that you find very useful and handy. The first 4 choices above are the ones I consider most useful, but should you have one of your own, feel free to add an answer. Giving a comment on your pick will also make things more fun.

Shazam iPhone Application

Shazam iPhone Application

For the uninitiated, Shazam is one cool app. Remember the time when you were listening to a particularly catchy song on the radio but couldn’t recognize the title and artist? Well, fret not. Just open Shazam and hold it close to the speaker and after 15 seconds (or a little more), basic details (plus album artwork) will appear on your phone’s screen!

Snaptell iPhone application

Snaptell iPhone application

Snaptell, on the other hand, is a visual version of Shazam. If you would like to know more info about a particular item (be it a book, gadget, dvd movie etc.), just take a clear shot of the same using your iPhone’s camera, then activate Snaptell, upload the image and voila! You can read the details (even reviews) to your heart’s delight!

Air Sharing iPhone application

Air Sharing iPhone application

Air Sharing is one document-viewing app that allows you to mount your iPhone or iPod Touch as a wireless drive on your laptop or PC. You can also drag-drop files between your iPhone and laptop using this. Lastly, Quick Office is quite self-explanatory.

Now, move that mouse to the poll above and vote! 😉